Rangers to discover SFL fate

Rangers newco will discover today whether they will be playing in the First Division or Third Division of the Scottish Football League next season.

The SFL clubs meet at Hampden this morning to vote on the fate of Charles Green's Sevco Scotland Limited, who were refused admission into the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The vast majority of SFL clubs who have made their views known favour putting Ally McCoist's side into the bottom tier, including Dunfermline, who refused to change their stance despite the package of radical reforms which were revealed on Wednesday as a carrot for clubs to ensure Rangers newco would start afresh in the second tier.

Pars chairman John Yorkston told Press Association Sport that "there was no dissent and the vote was unanimous" at a board meeting yesterday to discuss the proposals. He said: "We are not against the proposals but we are against them being linked to Rangers being put into the First Division. It is time to change Scottish football for all, not just for one or two."

According to Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan, the placing of the Govan club into the Third Division would bring financial catastrophe and a "slow, lingering death" of the game. To that end, the SFA, the Scottish Premier League and the SFL announced a series of proposals which would see the SPL increase to 14 teams for the beginning of season 2013/14.

Changes to the size of the other leagues as well as the merging of the ruling bodies, the redistribution of monies, parachute payments, play-offs and a pyramid system are also on the agenda. However, there are no guarantees that those proposals have turned the tide in the favour of Rangers being voted into the First Division.

Clyde added another layer of uncertainty when they claimed insufficient knowledge of Rangers newco made it "impossible" and "irresponsible" for any of the SFL clubs to consider admitting the Ibrox club into the organisation at all, never mind straight into the First Division.

"We discussed that issue as well and there will be questions asked at the meeting before the vote takes place," said Yorkston.

Dundee have been asked not to vote which suggests the Dark Blues, who were runners-up to First Division winners Ross County, and not Dunfermline, who were relegated out of the SPL, will be asked to take the place of Rangers.

Airdrie will abstain due to a conflict of interest. If Rangers newco are forced to play in Division Three then Airdrie stand to be promoted. The Lanarkshire club lost out in the end of season play-off final to Dumbarton for promotion to the First Division.